Senate Resolution No. 919

BY: Senator LARKIN

HONORING the Haverstraw Brick Museum upon the
occasion of its designation for special recognition
by the Town of Haverstraw at its St. Patrick's
Celebration on March 16, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
its exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the Haverstraw Brick Museum upon the occasion of its designation for
special recognition by the Town of Haverstraw at its St. Patrick's
Celebration on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at the Haverstraw Elks Lodge
No. 877 in Haverstraw, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Haverstraw Brick Museum is dedicated to preserving the
memories of an era gone by; Haverstraw, located in Rockland County, was
once the world's leading center of brick production; many buildings in
New York City are made with bricks manufactured in the Town; and

WHEREAS, In 1771, Jacob Van Dyke was instrumental in beginning the
brick making industry by making bricks by hand out of yellow and blue
clay that was found along the shore of the Hudson River; and

WHEREAS, The brick industry grew immensely, and numerous brickyards
appeared along the Hudson River; many schooners and barges on the Hudson
River were used to transport bricks to New York City, transforming the
island of Manhattan, and surrounding areas, into the sprawling
metropolis that it is today; and

WHEREAS, By the 1880s there were over 40 brickyards in the
Haverstraw area; in a single year, over 300 million bricks were being
shipped out of Haverstraw Bay to the New York metropolitan market; and

WHEREAS, Unfortunately, by the 1920s, much of the clay deposits had
been stripped from the area; a combination of the Great Depression,
competition and new building materials brought Haverstraw's brick making
industry to a close; and

WHEREAS, Six decades after the last yard closed in 1941, the
Haverstraw Brick Museum was founded to relive the impressive and
important history of this fascinating time in Haverstraw's storied
history; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Haverstraw Brick Museum has worked
with great pride to make history come alive for people of all ages by
collecting, preserving, researching and exhibiting materials and
cultures of the brick making industry within the Hudson River Valley;
and

WHEREAS, The expert staff of the Haverstraw Brick Museum, are and
always have been characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled

enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence, and
accordingly merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Haverstraw Brick Museum upon the occasion of its designation
for special recognition by the Town of Haverstraw at its St. Patrick's
Celebration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Haverstraw Brick Museum.